According to the article, while union officials confirmed the deal, they would not release specifics — including the number of layoffs that were averted — until members saw the terms.

"Under the four-year agreement that saves thousands of jobs, blue-collar workers will make direct contributions to keep schools open and to help the district solve budgetary problems," union officials said in a statement.

"This agreement will help keep public schools open, provide a clean and safe learning environment for our kids and save jobs for thousands of hardworking men and women," union Chief George Ricchezza said in the statement.

The union put nearly $20 million of concessions on the table in order to avoid the mass layoffs, the article noted.